Beyond implementation: the role of physicians, health care professionals and consumers in the development and use of food products

Physicians and consumers play an essential role in determining the ultimate success of food products. Effective communication of product efficacy and safety data to physicians, health care professionals and consumers can be a deciding factor in whether a food product is recommended or consumed. Food products deemed safe and beneficial will be further judged for cost and co st effectiveness. Physician and consumer reaction to newly launched product s can be a valuable source of feedback if used to create communication plan s and to reevaluate products. Long term monitoring of safety, efficacy, and consumer use patterns in the context of post-marketing surveillance studie s is another potential feedback mechanism. The present review focuses an ho w physicians and consumers are involved in food product development and ref inement, how they use the information available to make choices, and what k inds of information must be supplied to allow the public to be fully inform ed.